My Hidden Figures ReflectionBy: Breyonna Fox,
Blogging Intern with My Quest To Teach
Jacksonville, Florida
My first thought when I finished watching Hidden
Figures was, “Wow, they actually did all of those
things, like they accomplished their goals.” I thought
this was very inspirational, because back then it was
very hard for other races besides Caucasians, to do
the things they wanted and love. In the movie there
is a part when Mary Jackson’s husband even doubts
her accomplishing her dreams, showing how
un-motivated people were and how many dreams
were simply crushed and forgotten.

Then there was Dorothy Vaughn who wanted to be
a supervisor for her group of women who are highly
skilled with computers. She wanted to move on with
her dreams when she realized Katherine and Mary
was moving up with theirs. NASA wouldn’t make
her a supervisor though, she worked hard and even
acted like a supervisor to her group of woman. Then
one day she got a huge offer, but she would only do
it if her girls were with her as well. So they allowed it.
She finally became a supervisor. She is the first
African American woman to supervise a staff
at the West Area Computers Division. Another part
in the movie shows when she took her sons to the
library to get some books to help her out with work,
they ended up getting kicked out, just because
Dorothy needed the book, but the library was whites’
only.

It was upsetting to see how she couldn’t check
out the book and then the security guard pushed
her sons out as well. Then when she got on the
bus she still had the book on her and when her
sons asked why and she said she pays taxes
and those taxes help the library out. I know
Dorothy is a very witty and strong person. She
stayed determined in what she believed in and
knew she could accomplish her goals, she didn’t
leave her girls and moved them up with her.

Mary Jackson, wanted to become an engineer,
in the beginning she had doubts about it. She
was talking about it with her co-worker and she
said how impossible it felt, her co-workers told
her she could do it, because they were already
doing the impossible. I thought about what she
said and how she had hope that Mary could
accomplish her goals. It showed me even when
things feel impossible, they aren’t. She even
went to court to fight for what she wanted and
got night classes at University, an all-white
school! That was amazing. I really loved that part,
because that filled so much hope in Mary and
made her believe more in herself that she could
accomplish a lot more things after that, Mary
Jackson became the first female African
American NASA engineer. Mary is a sassy, brave
and determined for what she fights for.
Last, but not least was Katherine Goble,
she was strongly skilled in mathematics and
had an analytical mind. She got a new assignment
by Al Harrison, so she had to move to a new
part of the company.

When she was getting escorted, the woman told her,
“you will be the first black person here. Don’t make
me regret choosing you. Most people only last a few
days, so don’t get used to it.” Then when Katherine
entered everyone stared at her. Her co-workers were
rude towards her as well. She went to grab some
coffee and everyone was staring at her. She
immediately felt uncomfortable and sat down and
sipped her coffee slowly. After that incident they
got a second coffee maker and it said “colored”,
she went to use it, it was empty, sending a message.

This showed me how even though Katherine
accomplished her goals, there will always be people
trying to bring her down. Then she got upset and
explained to Harrison how rude everyone was acting
towards her and how she never got pearls and how
no one wants to use the same coffee maker as her,
since earlier she was always in the bathroom and he
would ask where she went. Then the next day he
tore down the “whites only” bathroom and the
“colored” signs and he said, “no whites or colored,
we’re all the same here.” That showed me how
Al Harrison really cared about Katherine as an
employee and he didn’t care about skin color.

Then when Katherine got engaged, her co-workers
got her a pearl necklace, which was Harrison’s ideas
too, which she wore to her wedding. Then later on in
the movie, when John Glenn was going to orbit
around earth, he said he only trusted Katherine with
her calculations and with his safety, he knew she
was brilliant and he only trusted her not the computer
machine. He was right too, he had trouble up in space,
but he got back safe.

Katherine played a huge roll in John Glenn’s journey
and Apollo space program landing a man on the moon.
In 2015, Katherine received National Medal of Freedom
from President Obama.

Breyonna Fox, blogger

This movie showed me that anything you set your mind
to you can accomplish. You just have to stay determined
and full of courage. This movie is very inspiring and
does prove to other women and girls they can do things
even when they feel it’s out of their reach.
Edited by Prof. William Jackson #MyQuestToTeach

The Alphabet of Fatherhood Can Be Awesomeby William Jackson, M. Ed.
Parent, Educator, Blogger,
Speaker, Community Activist
@wmjackson Edward Waters College

A Fathers Role

Suggestions for new dads and dads that need to
be re-energized to their responsibility as fathers.

Fathers need to take advantage of community
resources for several reasons: children need to
be exposed to diverse learning opportunities
like libraries, museums and cultural events.
The language engagement between fathers and
children is important, it helps build vocabulary
and encourages questioning and
increases observation.

Children need to feel comfortable asking their
parents questions, their opinions to understand
they have value and their curiosity is encouraged.
Mothers are not the only ones that build a bond
with children, a fathers bond is just as important
and significant. Fathers should never doubt they
are important and valuable. Never allow anyone
to demean your importance and significance in
your child’s life. You are part of the creative
process for life.

A. Fact – fathers spend about 45% playing
while moms only spend 15-20%.
B. Dads should help in getting the kids
ready for the day. Create a unique routine
that kids look forward to. This will make
getting ready less stressful.

C. Dads should learn about their child’s
development so they better understand
when to “teach” certain skills. Playing
catch, tying shoes and other things are a
process that is taught according to the
developmentally able child. Children learn
differently so don’t compare your kid to
others even their siblings.
D. Fathers should have time to read to
their children. Dads can make a special
language and storytelling trip for their
children. A dad’s voice is security and
comfort to the child.

E. Dads should make special trips to book
stories, libraries and museums. Make
learning unique and fun. Dads can plan
field trips during the weekends and
holidays.
F. Dads need to know their children’s
interests as they mature. Learning as
much as possible about their children
and not allowing mom’s to do and
know everything. Brake the mindset
that dads are less important.

G. Dads should know what foods their
kids like. Take them to the store and
shop with them. Make sure they
communicate with you about their
likes and dislikes. Their “tastes” will
change as they age and mature.
H. Dads need to be familiar with their
children’s sleep patterns. Give mom
a break and help to keep sleep time,
nap time consistent.

I. Dads need to spend time with their
newborns. A dads smell, voice and
hugs need to be comforting to newborns.
J. Dads need to understand that the first
months of a newborns life are key to
bonding with their parents. Dads should
plan ahead to take paternity leave if
possible, use vacation time or other
options to stay home and help mom
and child adjust to the new world.

K. Dads need to learn their child’s
behaviors and their developing personality.
What activities make the newborn, toddler
or growing child laugh, happy, sad, scared,
excited, etc.
L. Dads need to be a part of the educational
and developmental process of their children.
Mothers have careers and fathers need to
respect the fact that mom’s love their children,
but may want to continue their careers.

M. When the child is school aged dads need
to be there every step of the way. Teachers,
administrators, and other school personnel need
to know that children have two parents even if they
are not in the same home.
N. Children need to see their parents working, they
need to see their parents communicating and being
active. Too many times parents “hide” their emotions
which causes confusion in children.

O. Dads and moms need to monitor television
watching. There are so many suggestions and innuendos
that will cause confusion and doubt in girls and boys
about their bodies, culture, skin care, height, weight
and other physical attributes. Parents are the first line
of knowledge that builds self-esteem and self-respect.
P. A fathers words can bring life and death to their
children.
Fathers should be careful what they say to their children
and how they say it, even how they talk about their mother
and other family members

Q. Fathers should be listeners first and fixers second.
Fathers are instinctively fixers of problems for their
children and families.
The important part is fathers should listen first to get
all the information needed and involve their children
in the fixing process. Fathers take the opportunity to
include their children if old enough to fix any problems
that are teachable moments.
R. Dads should not be scared to “play” with their children.
When the opportunity comes play is beneficial, it can
build confidence, trust, love, respect and solidify a
relationship.

S. “Know Thy Self” dads should know their maturity,
their strengths and weaknesses. Understand what
drives you and moves you. “Before you start raising
children look at your foundation.”
Nishan Nicks (Fresh World Ministries)
T. Communication is important between parents,
moms and dads need to be open and honest when
talking about parental responsibilities. They both must
understand that their children are living and growing
human beings and will develop their own personality.
They will not stay the same forever and time
does fly by when you have children.

U. Fathers take care of your bodies, your minds
and your spirit. You are responsible for more
than yourself. Visit the doctors regularly and
change your eating habits and late night activities.
V. Fathers plan for the future. Plan for your
retirement, your kid’s educational future, the growth
of the family.
Take into account a potential career change for
yourself. Money is not the only cause for a job or
career change. Support your spouses or partners
desire to improve their education and career as well.

W. Plan vacations that are active and engaging.
Be sure to plan how to pack and if the destinations
are kid friendly. Plan to make sure the trip is beneficial
for your kids and the family not just you.
X. Treat your spouse or partner to some personal time.
Allow them to grow outside of parenthood to refresh
their spirit and mind.

Y. Don’t forget the grandparents in visits and trips, they
can be a partnership also.
Z. Be a parent, not a buddy. As your child grows so
will you and you must modify your parenting discipline,
language, expectations. There are no “perfect” parents.
You will make mistakes. Just do your best and learn
as you go.

-------------------------
The Morgan Report
Education, Technology
and Social MediaClick Here
Interview on The Morgan Report
----------------Life Full Circle
Hosted by Miguel Lloyd
with Guest William Jackson